Philippians Answers - Chapter 1

Philippians 1  Who is writing this letter to the Philippians? vs. 1 Paul. While Paul is clearly the author of the epistle (3:4–11; 4:10–16), Timothy was Paul’s amanuensis and cofounder of the church at Philippi (Acts 16:1–4). Hughes, R. B., & Laney, J. C. (2001). Tyndale concise Bible commentary. The Tyndale reference library (603). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers. aman•u•en•sis \ə-ˌman-yə-ˈwen(t)-səs\ noun plural -en•ses \-(ˌ ; )sēz\ [Latin, from (servus) a manu slave with secretarial duties] 1619 : one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscript Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc. Who are they including as recipients in this letter? vs. 1 "To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons." What are the greetings they send in the beginning of this letter? vs. 2 "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul thanks God for his remembrance of these dear believers. When he prays for them, he offers his prayer with joy in every prayer for them (vs 3-5).  What gives him this joy when he reflects on their lives? vs.5 It was because of their partnership in the gospel. Paul thanked God for the Philippians’ partnership in the progress of the gospel. The word “partnership” (koinonia) refers to what is shared in common, in this case, a joint ministry in the gospel of grace. Hughes, R. B., & Laney, J. C. (2001). Tyndale concise Bible commentary. The Tyndale reference library (603). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers. What is Paul confident about concerning them? vs. 6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." [ESV] "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." [TNIV] "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."  [MSG] Paul had these believers in his heart. They had been partakers of "grace" with him in his imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (vs.7) What was God his witness of concerning these believers in Philippi? vs. 8 "For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus." What was Paul's specific prayer for these believers in Philippi? vs. 9 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment." What does he want the result of this prayer to be for them? Name 3 things vs. 10,11 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. What does Paul want them to know concerning his circumstances of being imprisoned for the Gospel? Name 3 things. vs. 12-14 my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Paul realizes that some preach Christ out of envy and strife, and not from good will. What is their reason for doing this? vs. 17 They proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause Paul distress in his imprisonment. He also knows that others preach out of love. What do they know for sure concerning Paul? vs. 16 They knew that he was appointed for the defense of the gospel; What is the bottom line for Paul? What is it that he has found to rejoice in "no matter what"? vs. 18 That Christ is proclaimed. What gave Paul confidence that he would be delivered? vs.19-21 - Name 5 things that Paul was confident in that would lead to his deliverance. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance: through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Did Paul consider that deliverance was only if he was released and if he lived? What does he seem to believe deliverance was 'either way' it would go? vs. 20,21 That Christ will be exalted in his body, whether by life or by death.  "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." It almost appears as though God had given Paul a choice, whether to live and bear more fruit in this life, or to die and be with the Lord. He said he was hard-pressed in both directions.(vs.22,23) What was his desire and why? vs. 23 "But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better." Paul said to remain on in the flesh was necessary for the believers to continue in their progress and joy in the faith. Paul knew they would have confidence in his teaching when he came to them again. (vs.25,26) What did Paul want to hear in regard to them walking in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? vs.26,27 - Name 3 things - Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. What 2 things have believers been granted (or given) for Christ's sake? vs.29,30 not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,  [TNIV] How would Paul's life and faith be an example to them in their suffering? vs. 30 "Since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."  [TNIV] Think on this lesson. Paul talks about joy and rejoicing. Paul is confident in the Lord whether he lives or dies. He wants the believers in Philippi to have this same joy in blessing and in suffering. How will your life be effected by these teachings? In 1:12, Paul says that his circumstances in prison are actually advancing the gospel, not hindering it.  But why would he say this? What issue is he addressing here?  Paul’s goal in this section is to change the Philippians’ perspective on his circumstances. He wants them to see that what appears to be a bad thing is actually a good thing. Why?  Because God is using it. Frequently in the Psalms (and elsewhere as well) we find claims like this: the righteous are suffering, the wicked are prospering, and God isn’t doing anything about it. This is the same sentiment that Paul addresses here regarding the Philippians’ view of his own circumstances. When you find yourself in dire straits without hope for change, it can foster a range of emotions. You might ask God: “How long?” or “Why have you forgotten me?” There may be outright anger and indignation. Such responses seem reasonable, especially in light of assurances like 1:6 that God will complete the good work He began in us. It is easy to feel distanced from God or abandoned when circumstances prevent us from doing something we feel called to do. In our prayers, we implore God to deliver us from our circumstances or to somehow change them. Where is God in such cases? Has He abandoned us? From the Philippians’ perspective, Paul is supposed to be spreading the gospel. What could possibly be worse for this cause than being in prison? If we allow our perspective toward the circumstances to prevail, it can make us utterly useless to God (see Ps 73:21–22). Frustration can turn to bitterness and hopelessness, making us completely ineffective. Something needs to change, but what? In the Bible, what happens when God’s people cry out to Him about the wicked prospering and the righteous falling? What changes? Not what you’d think. The vast majority of the time, it is the attitude about the circumstances that God changes rather than the circumstances themselves. The key is to see things from God’s perspective instead of from our own human perspective. It is only then that we can find the hope, courage, and faith to move forward. Runge, S. E. (2011). High Definition Commentary: Philippians (Php 1:12–17). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Summarize & Pray. The apostle addresses the saints at Philippi with the bishops and deacons, 1, 2: showing his thankfulness to God for their “fellowship in the gospel,” to that time; his love to them; and his confidence in them as to the future, 3-8; and giving a summary of the blessings for which he prayed in their behalf, 9-11. He informs them, that his imprisonment at Rome had conduced “to the furtherance of the gospel,” 12, 13: so that many had been rendered more bold in preaching it; in which he greatly rejoices, though some did it from corrupt motives, 14-18; knowing that this “will turn to his salvation, through their prayers, and by the Spirit,” and trusting that “Christ will be magnified in his body, whether by life or death,” 19, 20. He declares that he is prepared for either event; that “to depart, and be with Christ, would be far better” for him; but that, as his life would be useful to them, he doubts in his choice, and supposes that he shall live, and be set at liberty, that he may further their joy of faith, by coming to them, 21-26. He exhorts them to walk worthy of their profession; to be of one mind “in striving for the gospel;” and to suffer cheerfully for Christ, as they had already been called to do, 27-30. Smith, J. H. (1992). The new treasury of scripture knowledge : The most complete listing of cross references available anywhere- every verse, every theme, every important word (1389). Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson. Prayer Father God, I thank You that You will continue on to completion the good work You have begun in me.  I pray that I would always see things from Your perspective and not my own.  Amen.

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